Matthew 13:13

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

American King James Version (AKJV)

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

American Standard Version (ASV)

Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

For this reason I put things into the form of stories; because they see without seeing, and give ear without hearing, and the sense is not clear to them.

Webster's Revision

Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

World English Bible

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don't see, and hearing, they don't hear, neither do they understand.

English Revised Version (ERV)

Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Clarke's Matthew 13:13 Bible Commentary

Therefore speak I to them in parables - On this account, viz. to lead them into a proper knowledge of God. I speak to them in parables, natural representations of spiritual truths, that they may be allured to inquire, and to find out the spirit, which is hidden under the letter; because, seeing the miracles which I have wrought, they see not, i.e. the end for which I have wrought them; and hearing my doctrines, they hear not, so as to profit by what is spoken; neither do they understand, ουδε συνιουσι, they do not lay their hearts to it. Is not this obviously our Lord's meaning? Who can suppose that he would employ his time in speaking enigmatically to them, on purpose that they might not understand what was spoken? Could the God of truth and sincerity act thus? If he had designed to act otherwise, he might have saved his time and labor, and not spoken at all, which would have answered the same end, viz. to leave them in gross ignorance.

Barnes's Matthew 13:13 Bible Commentary

Because they seeing, see not - Mark Mar 4:12 and Luke Luk 8:10 say, "That seeing, they may not see etc.;" but there is no difference.

Matthew simply states the "fact," that though they saw the "natural" meaning of the story - though they literally understood the parable - yet they did not understand its "spiritual" signification. Mark and Luke do not state the "fact," but affirm that he spoke with this "intention" - implying that such "was" the result. Nor was there any dishonesty in this, or any unfair disguise. He had truths to state which he wished his "disciples particularly" to understand. They were of great importance to their ministry. Had he clearly and fully stated them to the Jews, they would have taken his life long before they did. He therefore chose to state the doctrines so that if their hearts had been right, and if they had not been malignant and blind, "they might have understood them." His doctrines he stated in the best possible way, and it was not his fault if they did not understand him. By little and little, in this way, he prepared many even of the Jews to receive the truth; by the only possible way of ever gaining access to their minds. It was, moreover, entirely proper and right to impart instruction to his disciples which he did not "intend" for others.

Wesley's Matthew 13:13 Bible Commentary

13:13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing, they see not - In pursuance of this general rule, I do not give more knowledge to this people, be. cause they use not that which they have already: having all the means of seeing, hearing, and understanding, they use none of them: they do not effectually see, or hear, or understand any thing.